Indian diet shift exposes hidden genetic cholesterol risk
Changing diets in India could be leaving a hidden group of people at greater risk of high cholesterol because of genes they do not know they carry.
A study conducted by scientists from the University of Reading and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation in Chennai, India, has revealed that dietary changes in India may be exposing a hidden genetic risk for high cholesterol among certain individuals. As people in India increasingly consume more white rice, white flour, and reduce their intake of fiber, fruits, and vegetables, those with specific genes linked to diabetes may experience higher levels of cholesterol in their blood, according to the research published in the journal PLOS One.
Professor Vimal Karani, who led the study at the University of Reading, emphasized that the rapid changes in Indian food habits may have unforeseen consequences for individuals who possess these genetic markers. He explained that simply by observing someone's appearance, one cannot determine if they carry these genes. However, when people with this genetic predisposition consume a diet rich in white rice and low in fruits and vegetables, they tend to exhibit elevated cholesterol levels.
The researchers conducted a study involving 1,020 adults in Chennai and assessed their genes and dietary habits by assigning them a diet score. They found that individuals with diabetes-related genetic variants experienced increased cholesterol levels when they consumed minimal amounts of fruits, vegetables, beans, and lentils. Although the study establishes a correlation between these dietary factors and cholesterol levels, it does not definitively prove a causal relationship.
Further research is required to determine whether adopting a diet rich in vegetables and pulses can help reduce cholesterol levels in people carrying these genetic predispositions. If such findings hold true, the possibility of employing DNA tests to identify individuals who would benefit most from dietary modifications may become a reality.
The study's lead author, Professor Karani, suggested that food advice in India should be updated to account for these genetic considerations, as genes alone do not determine an individual's health outcome.
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